Hello!
My girlfriend and I just purchased an all black female rat from Petco after out friends had just bought a lovely white rat from there named Sugar. As Sugar is very friendly and was social right from the get go with them, and us, we decided to buy a friend for her.
Anyway, we bought everything we needed and brought our rat, Ruth Fisher (6 Feet Under?), home and put her in her new home (aquarium style). When I went out for a meeting my girlfriend put Ruth out on our bed to walk around and explore. She seemed to enjoy exploring the bed but she ended up biting my girlfriend twice (one time drawing blood) and she pooped many times (I assume this is all from being nervous?). When I came home Ruth climbed on me a bit but anytime I tried to put my hand near her she would either make a cute squeek and run away or bite me, which only happened once.
Now I assume this is all because she is in a new environment and has yet to adjust but I just wanted to ask you all anyway...
My second question is that my girlfriend and I are leaving for a few days to play a show. We're leaving Friday and will return Sunday. What should I do for Ruth if anything? I know leaving food and clean water and the such but I'm more concerned about her getting scared or lonely? Should I have our friends watch her?
My last (thankfully!) question is I want to use the Forced Socialization Method on Ruth next week. Does anyone have any tips on this? Right now Ruth has made a little bed in a cardboard house we gave her and I have read that the rat should have no place to hide when I get her out of her cage for this. Should I just remove the house and put it back when our session is over or do something else?
Thanks for any answers!
My girlfriend and I just purchased an all black female rat from Petco after out friends had just bought a lovely white rat from there named Sugar. As Sugar is very friendly and was social right from the get go with them, and us, we decided to buy a friend for her.
Anyway, we bought everything we needed and brought our rat, Ruth Fisher (6 Feet Under?), home and put her in her new home (aquarium style). When I went out for a meeting my girlfriend put Ruth out on our bed to walk around and explore. She seemed to enjoy exploring the bed but she ended up biting my girlfriend twice (one time drawing blood) and she pooped many times (I assume this is all from being nervous?). When I came home Ruth climbed on me a bit but anytime I tried to put my hand near her she would either make a cute squeek and run away or bite me, which only happened once.
Now I assume this is all because she is in a new environment and has yet to adjust but I just wanted to ask you all anyway...
My second question is that my girlfriend and I are leaving for a few days to play a show. We're leaving Friday and will return Sunday. What should I do for Ruth if anything? I know leaving food and clean water and the such but I'm more concerned about her getting scared or lonely? Should I have our friends watch her?
My last (thankfully!) question is I want to use the Forced Socialization Method on Ruth next week. Does anyone have any tips on this? Right now Ruth has made a little bed in a cardboard house we gave her and I have read that the rat should have no place to hide when I get her out of her cage for this. Should I just remove the house and put it back when our session is over or do something else?
Thanks for any answers!